Vehicle Description
Racing driver Sydney Allard's post-war cars combined the same
virtues of light weight, independent front suspension and an
abundance of American V8 power, which had been features of his
first trials special of the mid-1930s. These favourable
characteristics enabled Allard cars to establish a formidable
competition record in the immediate post-war years; Allard himself
finishing 3rd at Le Mans in a J2 two-seater and winning the
Monte-Carlo Rally outright in a P2 saloon. Introduced in 1947, the
M-type (retrospectively M1) was a more civilised version of the
contemporary L model and employed Allard's trademark independently
suspended 'split' front axle and transverse-leaf rear end in a
chassis 6" longer than that of the K-type, the extra length being
used to accommodate two rear passenger seats. Like the vast
majority of production Allards, the M used Ford components, which
were readily obtainable from Ford in the UK, its engine being the
Blue Oval's famous 3,622cc 'flat head' V8. Approximately 500
examples were produced between 1947 and 1950. Being top quality,
hand-built, British cars with American mechanicals, Allards were
very usable and relatively inexpensive to run and maintain. With
their powerful and torquey V8 engine, three-speed manual gearbox
and high overall gearing; they were fast and exciting cars to
drive. This Allard M-Type was delivered new to a doctor in Northern
Ireland who used the car in local speed events and hill climbs.
Restored in the mid 1990's, this Allard has been presented at the
Hurlingham Club Concours and has taken part at other London events
before retiring to the West Country home some ten years ago. In
2016, it was driven to the Le Mans Classic to commemorate Allard's
success in the 24 hour race and the 1952 Monte-Carlo Rally.
Finished in blue with blue leather interior, this M-Type is
supplied with a V5C registration document and an extensive history
file covering its career and restoration. In total 500 Allard
M-Types were produced and all but three were dropheads; they were
very popular with their customers for their reliability and their
sporting prowess when new, the same reasons that they are sought
after now. For sale by auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with
Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit,
Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
